About the Program
GRADUATE PHILOSOPHY PROGRAMME AT YORK UNIVERSITY
One of the outstanding features of the Graduate Programme in Philosophy is its inclusion of philosophers who draw on a wide range of philosophical resources, both historical and contemporary, both empirical and a priori, and who are engaged in ongoing discourse with one another. The atmosphere is intellectually exciting and collegial. In keeping with York’s University’s commitment to interdisciplinarity, the programme follows a pattern of encouraging multiple intellectual cultures to cooperate in the project of comparing and integrating different theoretical approaches. Though a large programme, research is focused in the following four fields:
- Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Law
- Philosophy of Cognitive Science, Mind and Language
- History of 19th and 20th Century Philosophy
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Philosophy of Science and Epistemology
GENERAL INFORMATION
Faculty Regulations” and the “Programme Regulations” may be found by going to Faculty’s website at http://www.yorku.ca/grads
The office of the Philosophy Graduate programme is located in South 429 Ross Building. Correspondence, messages, appointments, and general enquiries should normally be routed through Cristal Del Biondo, the Graduate Programme Assistant, (phone: 736-5113; fax: 736-5114; e-mail delbiond@yorku.ca). The programme offices are open at 8:30 am and normally close at 4:30 pm.
Students are advised to be on campus the week before classes start to meet faculty, fellow students, and the Director.
Students are advised to observe the registration dates and programme deadlines.
University courses begin on September 7, 2011 but students are responsible for verifying the precise date of the first class meeting for courses in which they are enrolled, please verify www.yorku.ca/gradphi and click on courses.
Students should make a point of discussing with the Director their academic plans: course selection, thesis topics, potential supervisors and committees, leaves of absence. In every case, the most effective way of establishing agreement and avoiding misunderstandings is to put things in writing.
Students should keep the Graduate Programme Assistant informed of any changes in plans, courses, G.A.s and so on. A brief note letting her know of some new development can often save endless bureaucratic hassles at a later stage.
Students should check their mailboxes in the General Office of the Philosophy Department for notices about information concerning the programme. Except for part-time students, mail received in the programme office will not be forwarded.
Computers are available for student use in the Philosophy Computer Lab. Printing access is via the latest and best Hewlett Packard printer in the lab. Additional printing is also available via the OAK server through CNS. Students have access to e-mail accounts which can be arranged through the CNS Helpdesk (416-736-5800). Accounts to access the Philosophy Lab computers are available through the Administrative Assistant.
There are five York University libraries: the Scott Library, the Steacie Science Library, the Government Documents/Administrative Studies Library, the Law Library, and the Frost Library on the Glendon College campus. The Scott Library, located just west of the Ross Building, is the social science and humanities library. Information about services available can be obtained from the information desk just inside the main entrance. All graduate students may apply for extended loan privileges at the circulation desk, Scott Library, by submitting a signed letter from the Programme Director. With extended loan privileges two-week books at Scott, Steacie, Law and Frost are automatically charged out for 100 days.
TA Day, a one-day teaching seminar designed for Teaching Assistants, will be held Thursday, August 25, 2011. Sponsored by the Centre for the Support of Teaching, the seminar provides invaluable information and workshops that can help you prepare for your role as a Teaching Assistant. In addition, the Centre for the Support of Teaching offers an accredited University Teaching Practicum. Its purpose is to furnish opportunities for candidates to develop their teaching skills. Successful candidates receive a letter of authenticity from FGS signed by the Dean. For more information contact the Centre for the Support of Teaching
All students and faculty members have the right to pursue their studies and research in an atmosphere free from sexual harassment of any kind. The Sexual Harassment Education and Complaint Centre (108 Central Square) is for use by all members of the York University community (students, staff, faculty).
The Counselling and Development Centre offers an assortment of diverse programmes to help students achieve their personal and academic potential. The Centre’s reception area (145 Behavioral Science Building) is open from 9:00-5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday 416-736-5297).
Other support groups that might be useful: Centre for Women and Trans People, 322 Student Centre, 416-736-2100 ext. 33484; Human Rights Centre, 416-736-5682; Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution, 416-736-5231. For more information on any of these groups, contact Student Community Leadership Development, 416-736-5144.
PROGRAMME REGULATIONS
The Graduate Faculty divides the year into three terms: Fall,Winter and Summer. For as long as you are in the Programme you must maintain continuous registration in all three terms. Failure to do so will result in your withdrawal from the Programme. Re-registration is permitted only by special petition to the graduate study committee. If you have not completed requirements for the degree by May, you must register for the following Summer term whether or not you are using university services.
Student Status: Full-Time/Part-Time
Students may be registered as full-time for up to two years at the M.A. level, and six years at the Ph.D. However, funding is not guaranteed in the second year of an M.A.
Time Limits
Full-time Master’s Candidates are expected to complete the degree requirements within twelve months and must complete in twenty-four months. Students should revert to part-time status after 3 sessions have been completed. The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree should be completed within six years. In order to remain in good standing, students must complete the course requirements by the end of PhD 2 and defend their dissertation proposal by the end of PhD 3.
Restrictions Related to Full-Time/Part-Time Status
Full-time status is necessary to apply for Research or Teaching Assistantships, scholarships, or York apartments. Students registered full-time may not work more than ten hours a week.
Leave of Absence/Withdrawal From The Programme
Students may petition to the Dean of Graduate Studies for Leaves of Absence up to a maximum of three terms, which may be taken consecutively if approved. Leaves of Absence are usually requested for personal or compassionate reasons. The petition must be approved and signed by the Programme Director and, in the case of students writing theses and dissertations, by the Supervisor. Students may not petition for a Leave of Absence if they owe fees, or in the term prior to completion of the degree. A L.O.A. student is considered to be a non-student during this period and should not be receiving any academic guidance from the University.
In addition, no Leaves of Absence will be granted to students who are carrying Incomplete grades, unless there are exceptional circumstances. In these special cases, the Programme Director will be required to submit the student’s schedule of completion of the work for the unfinished course. This also applies to students whose programmes have not yet assigned Incomplete grades for courses recently taken.
Students on Leave of Absence are required to maintain continuous registration and pay the appropriate L.O.A. fee. Leaves of Absence do not count towards the Master’s and Doctoral time limits outlined in Regulations 24 and 33 of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar.
Note: Approval of all Leaves of Absence is solely at the discretion of the Dean or the Dean’s designate.
A Withdrawal in Good Standing may be requested if the period of absence from the Programme is likely to be longer than a year and if the student’s work has been satisfactory to that point. A letter with reasons supporting the request for withdrawal in good standing should be submitted to the Director.
Note: Withdrawal in Good Standing is not permitted if a student is holding a grade of Incomplete.
Graduate Courses and Grading
http://www.yorku.ca/grads/current_students/faculty_regulations.php?id=5
Fees
Fees are comprised of academic fees, ancillary fees and non tuition-related fees approved by student referendum. Normally all fees are subject to change starting with the summer term of each year. Academic fees are determined with reference to the formula fee schedule set by the Province of Ontario. Accordingly, any adjustments to the formula fee schedule by the Province of Ontario will result in adjustment to the University’s academic fees. The University will endeavour to inform the student community immediately upon any such adjustment. However, the University does not undertake or accept responsibility to so notify
all recipients of this Calendar. The Board of Governors reserves the right to make changes in the published
schedule of fees without notice.
For current fees, please refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Registration Procedures and Lecture Schedule for Fall/Winter 2011/2012 at http://www.yorku.ca/grads/
All students are advised to contact the Records Coordinator of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (230 York Lanes) for more detailed and up-to-date information about the fee structure.
Tuition Fee Receipts for income tax purposes are provided for the Academic Fee portion only.
Please note that fees are payable each term, three times per year. Due dates are:
Summer Term: First week of May
Fall Term: First week of September
Winter Term: First week of January
Methods of Payment
* pay at the bank with the pay-at-the-bank stub included in your first student accounts statement. Remember to have
the stub stamped and dated by the teller if paying in person, or to retain your transaction record if paying at an automated
banking machine.
* by cheque or money order made payable to York University, in person or by mail.
Note: cash payments are no longer accepted.
* by payroll deduction to be arranged in person through the Faculty of Graduate Studies Office, 283 York Lanes.
* by York Scholarship (fees are automatically deducted from York Scholarships prior to any cheques being issued). If
your scholarship is insufficient to cover your fees, please be prepared to pay the balance.
* by sponsorship agency. If you are in Canada on an exchange agreement or sponsored by an agency such as CIDA or
Commonwealth, which exempts you from the International Student Fees, you must provide copies of the necessary
documentation at registration.
* deferments may be granted in extenuating circumstances. Please contact Sharon Pereira of the Faculty of Graduate
Studies, 416-736-5521, 283 York Lanes.
Please Note: It is not possible to pay fees by payroll deduction for the Summer Term. A $200.00 penalty is automatically assessed for late registration, after September 2, January 2, or May 2.
Students who have not yet completed their course work may register as No Course Available if no suitable course is offered in any given term. This provision does not apply if a student is registered as working on a thesis/dissertation or a major research paper, or who have a grade of I (Incomplete) recorded for a course. Students registered as No Course Available pay administration fees, but not tuition.
For further information about registration, maternity leaves, leaves of absences, compassionate leaves,
go to the Graduate Studies website at http://www.yorku.ca/grads
